Place à la finale ?@SloaneStephens prendra-t-elle sa revanche face à @Simona_Halep ?
We’ve got a French Open rematch ?? Who will lift the trophy this time?#CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/YeexVTPSQt
— Coupe Rogers (@CoupeRogers) August 12, 2018
A French Open Rematch in the Montreal Final as Simona Halep Faces Sloane Stephens for Rogers Cup Title
(August 11, 2018) It will be a Roland Garros rematch in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal on Sunday when world No. 1 Simona Halep takes on No. 3 Sloane Stephens.
An admittedly tired Simona Halep beat Ashleigh Barty 6-4, 6-1, reaching the final for the third time in four years, she won the trophy in 2016.
On Friday, the Romanian complained that she had the worst schedule, contending that she should not have played her semifinal first after two night matches and a day when she had to play two matches -“this happens almost every tournament,” she said. She has played four matches in three days.
“I was very sore when I woke up,” Halep said to media. “During the match, it’s not easy to run so much. But, you know, I just tried to focus on what I have to play and, to make it a little bit easier, which I did in the end, was to finish it early.”
“I think I talked enough about it. I was upset, of course. I hope in the future it’s going to be better.
“For the moment, all things are okay.”
As for the match against the Australian ranked No. 15, she said:
“I think I played smart tennis today. I pushed her very back on her backhand, then I could just receive a shorter ball, an easier ball for me to open the court. Then I just went all the way also on her forehand, short, cross, long, everything. I played some slices.
“I think the match was a very good level of tennis even if the rhythm was a little bit mixed.”
Sloane Stephens knocked out the defending champion Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-3 in the evening session. Stephens has not lost a set during the tournament. The last player to win Rogers Cup title without dropping a set was Serena Williams back in 2013.
Stephens lost to Halep after having a set and a break lead in the French Open final
“I was pretty close the last time so I’m just going to go out and play hard,” said the American on-court after her win.
“I mean, well, I just played her at French Open in the final, and we played a good match,” Stephen told media in her news conference. “I played very well for a set and a half. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll play very well for two sets. Just try to play as well as I can.
“Obviously I’m playing good tennis. She’s playing good tennis. Obviously to make a final of another tournament is incredible. It’s three finals on the year for me. I’m really pleased with that.
“I mean, obviously you worked very hard to get here to this point, so just going to compete really hard tomorrow and give it my all. Whatever happens happens.”
“She’s a good player. She’s No. 1 in the world. I think everyone who watches her play knows how she plays.”
“I’ve been playing well, consistent. That’s great. I played some really tough players. Really pleased with that. Obviously happy with my performance today.
“Just going into tomorrow, I got to compete hard, do the best I can. Obviously playing the No. 1 player in the world, I’m not supposed to win. Just going to go out and give it my all.”
“She is the No. 1 player in the world. On paper, I’m the No. 3 player in the world, so I’m not supposed to beat her.
“Obviously I’m playing good tennis. She’s playing good tennis. We play sports, so anything can happen. Obviously I would love to win. That’s a part of being competitive.
“To respect your opponent, obviously she’s No. 1 in the world, that’s just how it is.”
More to follow…
